Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [verb dih-fahy; noun dih-fahy, dee-fahy]
- /verb dɪˈfaɪ; noun dɪˈfaɪ, ˈdi faɪ/
- /dɪˈfaɪ/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [verb dih-fahy; noun dih-fahy, dee-fahy]
- /verb dɪˈfaɪ; noun dɪˈfaɪ, ˈdi faɪ/
Definitions of defying word
- verb with object defying to challenge the power of; resist boldly or openly: to defy parental authority. 1
- verb with object defying to offer effective resistance to: a fort that defies attack. 1
- verb with object defying to challenge (a person) to do something deemed impossible: They defied him to dive off the bridge. 1
- verb with object defying Archaic. to challenge to a combat or contest. 1
- noun plural defying a challenge; a defiance. 1
- noun defying Present participle of defy. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of defying
First appearance:
before 1250 One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English defien < Old French desfier, equivalent to des- dis-1 + fier to trust < Vulgar Latin *fīdāre, variant of Latin fīdere
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Defying
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
defying popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 88% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
defying usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for defying
adjective defying
- unapologetic — containing an apology or excuse for a fault, failure, insult, injury, etc.: An apologetic letter to his creditors explained the delay.
Antonyms for defying
adjective defying
- on one's knees — Anatomy. the joint of the leg that allows for movement between the femur and tibia and is protected by the patella; the central area of the leg between the thigh and the lower leg.
- apologetic — If you are apologetic, you show or say that you are sorry for causing trouble for someone, for hurting them, or for disappointing them.
- self-incriminating — serving to incriminate oneself or to expose oneself to prosecution: self-incriminating testimony.
- propitiatory — serving or intended to propitiate.
- attritional — a reduction or decrease in numbers, size, or strength: Our club has had a high rate of attrition because so many members have moved away.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with d
- Words starting with de
- Words starting with def
- Words starting with defy
- Words starting with defyi
- Words starting with defyin
- Words starting with defying